Near- and Mid-IR Gas-Phase Absorption Spectra of H2@C60+-He

TL;DR

This study measures and analyzes the near- and mid-infrared absorption spectra of endohedral H2@C60+ ions with helium tagging, revealing spectral differences from neutral C60 and implications for astronomy.

Contribution

It presents the first gas-phase IR spectra of H2@C60+ ions using He-tagging and highlights spectral shifts caused by the caged hydrogen molecule.

Findings

He-tagged H2@C60+ shows distinct spectral features from neutral C60.

Spectral shifts and line splittings indicate interaction of the caged H2 with the C60+ electronic states.

Results have potential relevance to astronomical observations.

Abstract

Near- and mid-IR absorption spectra of endohedral H2@C60+ have been measured using He-tagging. The samples have been prepared using a 'molecular surgery' synthetic approach and were ionized and spectroscopically characterized in the gas phase. In contrast to neutral C60 and H2@C60, the corresponding He-tagged cationic species show distinct spectral differences. Shifts and line splittings in the near- and mid-IR regions indicate the influence of the caged hydrogen molecule on both the electronic ground and excited states. Possible relevance to astronomy is discussed.